K-9 sniffs out heroin in car, Washington police say

A police K-9 helped to bust a Florida man on heroin possession charges during a motor-vehicle stop in Califon, according to a Washington Township Police Department report.

Patrol Officer Daniel Hudspith conducted a motor-vehicle stop at 7:16 p.m. Tuesday on Main Street in the neighboring Hunterdon County borough for a motor-vehicle violation. According to the report, the driver of the vehicle was unable to provide any identification, and was observed to become extremely nervous during the questioning.

The investigation continued as Patrol Officer Michael Thompson arrived and deployed his K-9 “Cliff." When the dog indicated the presence of a narcotic inside of the vehicle, a subsequent search uncovered 10 bags of heroin and one hypodermic needle.

Hudspith later determined the driver’s true identity, Edward Balcom II of Sarasota, Fla., and learned the suspect also had two active warrants for his arrest. Balcom was placed under arrest and issued a criminal complaint for possession of heroin, possession of a hypodermic needle and providing false information along with motor-vehicle complaints for failure to keep right and possession of a controlled dangerous substance inside of a motor vehicle.

Balcom was turned over to the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and taken to the Morris County Correctional Facility.

Washington Township police patrol the neighboring borough of Califon, across the Hunterdon County border.